Opinions on SH-50 vs SZ-16?

Looking at these two cameras and wanted to find out from users of them if they like/dislike anything about them. The sz-16 is half the price of the sh-50 and I wanted to see if the extra money for the sh-50 is really worth it, for just standard point and shoot photos of the kids, and occasional long distance landscape shots on vacation. Thanks.

Biggest question - does the flash automatically pop up on either of these, or do you have to manually open it in case it is needed. Thanks.

I have a SZ-16 which I bought upon release to take on a trip to Philippines, at the time I was quite eager to grab a SH-50 but its release was delayed a fair bit. As soon as my SZ-16 arrived I was most surprised by how much I liked its results and think I made a terrific choice for my adventure, though it lacks some features of the higher end SH-50 but they also may be features a buyer has no concern about. The SH-50 can concurrently take video and photos as well as have stereo audio versus the mono of the SZ-16 and being limited to video or photos like most cameras. A little thing I find handy with Olympus is being able to charge via USB, very handy whilst travelling and I never had to change batteries on my trip, I just plugged the USB in whenever I rested.

The only review I've seen of the SZ-16 is on steves-digicam site, that helped me to believe my eyesight wasn't extremely flawed as it received some praise.




SZ-16 sample.

In order not pick a domestic, I had to wait for the SH-50. The extra features over the SZ-16 which I use regularly are, 5-axis stabilisation for video, and up to 12 full resolution stills during any video take. I increasingly use the two custom white balances as well.

But I have no need to belittle the SZ-16. It is good value for money.

Henry

Thank you. My biggest concern/question is whether the flash will open automatically if needed, or does it need to manually be opened in order to be used? I have not been able to find either camera locally to be able to test this function and can't seem to find that information online. I found the SH-15 in a big box store and tried to test it, but lighting was such that a flash wasn't needed and I couldn't do a true test with it, and the clerk wasn't much help. Thought I'd ask on here for those who actually use the cameras!

AMmom said:

Thank you. My biggest concern/question is whether the flash will open automatically if needed, or does it need to manually be opened in order to be used?

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The cameras I have are the SZ-30MR and the SH-50. Both need a button push for the flash to open - which is MY preference.

Henry

I would like to know which of these two cameras has the better photo quality. And I too do not want the flash popping up. I want to decide when to use flash. But is there a difference in photo quality? That's what matters to me. I love my xz-10 and I will probably buy an xz-2 when the price comes back down, but I am also interested in a small zoomer for the times when I need more zoom than my other cameras can provide without taking a traditional-sized zoomer or a DSLR with me.

My SZ-16 also has a manual flip up switch which also is my preference, the flash could be stronger though but that's a common moan with compacts, they're all a bit weak, the possible exception being the budget VG-170.

Darlene Goff said:

I would like to know which of these two cameras has the better photo quality.

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Both SH-50 and SZ-16 are variations on the same theme, with the same sensor and the same lens, as far as I can tell. The extra features on the SH-50 are of vital interest to me, but they may not be important to you. You will not shoot yourself in the foot by choosing the cheaper SZ-16.

Member said:

And I too do not want the flash popping up. I want to decide when to use flash.

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I have had P&S cameras with a fixed flash that I had to disable in the menu. But I never had a flash that popped up when I turned on the camera.

Member said:

But is there a difference in photo quality? That's what matters to me. I love my xz-10....

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The XZ-10 has a 12MP sensor of the same dimensions as the 16MP sensor in the SH-50 and in the SZ16. You just may find you get more detail without a noticeable increase in noise.

Member said:

....and I will probably buy an xz-2 when the price comes back down, but I am also interested in a small zoomer for the times when I need more zoom than my other cameras can provide without taking a traditional-sized zoomer or a DSLR with me.

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There have been reports that the SH-50 and the SZ-16 have better video than the XZ-2. Maybe you settle on the 24x zoomer first, before you look at the 'enthusiast' segment.

I am prejudiced. I still have a knob-encrusted SP-570UZ 20x zoom bridge camera. It is built like a brick out-house, but the multiplicity of menu entries and functions slow me down too much, which in turn annoys Sandra when she wants me to do HER shots QUICKLY.

My first digicam that does not annoy Sandra for its slowness is my SZ-30MR.

There I was doing a quick temporary shot of a rental living room on the SZ-30MR, using the built-in flash in fill-in mode, intending to do a 'proper' picture on the SP-570UZ using the external bounce flash. Sandra looked at the SZ-30MR LCD, and said 'That's what I want - can you do the bathroom now?' She was still happy when the SZ-30MR shots appeared on TradeMe. So that instance retired the SP-570UZ from ANY art catalogue and rental advert duties for Sandra.

Henry

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http://upload.pbase.com/image/138702566.jpg
Henry Falkner - SH-50, SZ-30MR, SP-570UZ
http://www.pbase.com/hfalkner

Thanks, Henry for the information. I took a chance on the SH-50 since it is half-off today in silver at Amazon sold by them at $149.99. I have the LX7 and the xz-10, and they are fine cameras, but both don't give me the zoom I occasionally need. I have zoomers but they are like small DSLR style and require a fairly good sized camera bag. Sometimes that is not practical. I have DSLRs and I have a G6 MFT for when I want to carry a bag. Too many cameras, right? But this will fit a little niche for me when I need to zoom out more. I can easily put two small cameras in my purse. Any shortcomings will be made up by the fact that I had a camera that could zoom out far enough when needed. I still do want the xz-2 if it comes down to $299 again. Then my camera collection will be complete, I think. Anyway I will have fun with the SH-50 and accept any limitations. Your pictures are very good with it.

Darlene Goff said:

Thanks, Henry for the information. I took a chance on the SH-50 since it is half-off today in silver at Amazon sold by them at $149.99.

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That was worth the gamble.

Member said:

I have zoomers but they are like small DSLR style and require a fairly good sized camera bag.

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I am contemplating to get one of those again. Moon shots at 50x optical zoom require less DZ.

Member said:

Sometimes that is not practical. I have DSLRs and I have a G6 MFT for when I want to carry a bag. Too many cameras, right?

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If you have jobs specifically suited for one of these, then they are not wasted.

Member said:

But this will fit a little niche for me when I need to zoom out more. I can easily put two small cameras in my purse. Any shortcomings will be made up by the fact that I had a camera that could zoom out far enough when needed.

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Because you do have the other cameras, you are more likely to use the SH-50 right up to its limit.

Member said:

I still do want the xz-2 if it comes down to $299 again. Then my camera collection will be complete, I think.

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On video, the SH-50 may hunt for focus a bit less than the XZ-2.

Member said:

Anyway I will have fun with the SH-50 and accept any limitations.

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Compared to ALL my previous cameras, the SH-50 is surprisingly unlimited. I did this two nights ago when I took Sandra's brother to the airport -

Member said:

Your pictures are very good with it.

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Thank you VERY much.

Henry



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Henry Falkner - SH-50, SZ-30MR, SP-570UZ

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Thank you Darlene for the info on the price. So glad I checked this today! Looking forward to my SH-50 arriving soon.

Thank you to the others for help in deciding which one to get.